APPLICATIONS The OPE recognizes organizational performance with the Ohio Partnership for Excellence Award®. Applicant organizations submit a self-assessment addressing items in the Criteria and receive a site visit by trained, volunteer examiners. OPE examiners come from all sectors and regions of Ohio and are trained in the Criteria to help applicant organizations identify their strengths and opportunities for improvement. After the completion of these assessments, the organization is awarded one of three levels: Silver, Gold, or Platinum. There are two levels of applications: 1. START THE JOURNEY For more information on this Program, click here To apply, click here for the "Start the Journey" form 2. FULL APPLICATION PROCESS. For more information on the Full Application Process, click here To apply, click here for the "Intent to Apply" form All organizations face hurdles, some become great, some stumble and sway, others just fade away. Great organizations are able to create a culture of excellence. They create a way of doing business that sees past the short term day-to-day struggle to a long-term, sustainable vision of excellence.